MAY 27/2003

 REMEMBERING THE MASSACRE IN SIDAMA

On May 24/2002, the forces of the EPRDF opened fire at peaceful demonstrators in the village of Locke (Awassa, Sidama) and killed around 46 people. A year later, justice continues to be denied as the killers of innocent people have not been arrested or brought to trial while innocent people detained at that time are still languishing in prisons and detention centers.

Despite protests from various quarters including the European Union, the EPRDF has refused to take action against those who ordered or carried out the massacre. On the contrary, the Federal police and authorities have taken over, detained, marginalized or expelled the local officials and imposed direct and arbitrary rule based on the threat and use of brute force. Dozens of people detained at that time have neither been charged or tried nor released from detention. All those, who dared to demand that justice should be done, have been accused falsely and subjected to repressive action ranging from detention to termination of employment.

 SOCEPP joins all others who have been calling for justice in relation to the massacre that took place a year ago in Locke. The EPRDF should respond to the demands that the culprits be tried in a court of law and the innocent detained villagers released without any delay. The arbitrary intervention of the Federal police and security forces as well as political chiefs should also be ended as experience has shown it is detrimental to the welfare and rights of the local people.

 SOCEPP remembers the victims of the May 24/2002 massacre and expresses its condolences again to their families and relatives.

End the rule by terror and killings!

Justice to the Locke victims and prisoners!!

SOCEPP